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Staff recommends roadside viewing platform at Boulder Falls after geotechnical review
Summary
Staff concluded Boulder Falls is a high rockfall-hazard site and recommended a roadside viewing platform (separated from climbing access) as the preferred alternative; the board supported further design, outreach and engineering work with implementation earliest in 2027 via CIP.
City staff reported to the Open Space Board of Trustees on Jan. 14 that Boulder Falls remains a high rockfall-hazard site following a catastrophic rockfall in November 2024 and subsequent geotechnical analysis.
Hillary Deese, visitor infrastructure senior manager, summarized consultant findings and field work: the Nov. 2024 event deposited about 100 cubic yards of material and produced large rocks "the size of a Camry up to a small SUV," with consultant estimates that large rockfall could produce bounce heights of several feet. Using CDOT's analysis tools, staff said the site ranks among the state's higher rockfall risk areas. Deese said the trail has been closed more than half the time (55%) since Jan. 1, 2009, owing to rockfall, flood and repair work.
To balance safety, visitor experience and feasibility, staff evaluated three alternatives: (1) an interior viewing platform close to the falls (highest visitor experience but highest mitigation and maintenance cost and complications with concurrent climbing access); (2) a roadside viewing platform at a safer alignment that provides a view of the falls while separating general visitors from climbers (staff's preferred alternative); and (3) permanent closure with a bolted fence and long-term exclusion.
Deese emphasized separation of uses in the preferred alternative: general visitors would use a roadside platform with better safety and year-round access while climbers would be directed to a separated climbing-access route. "This is a really, really dangerous area," Deese said, explaining that consultants recommended a November'to'May seasonal closure if high-risk mitigation were chosen at site. She also said design options will be refined with first-responder input, additional engineering review, and targeted public outreach.
Board members pressed staff on signage, emergency egress, whether disposal to a land trust had been considered, and the long-term outlook for the falls given drought, floods and other hazards. Staff said disposal to a land trust had been discussed historically but not pursued; staff will continue to evaluate all options if engineering proves infeasible.
Next steps: staff will pursue further design and engineering, targeted outreach and a second opinion on mitigation costs; staff expects to return with refined costs and concept drawings Q3 or early Q4 2026 and said implementation through the CIP could be earliest in 2027, contingent on budget and permitting.
Provenance: geotechnical findings and alternatives (SEG 1687'SEG 2010); board discussion and public input on access and signage (SEG 2061'SEG 2460).
